ICEBREAKERS - A practical approach to group dynamics

ICEBREAKERS B Y T I N E FR I S - RONSF ELD & KRI STOF F ER F YNBO THORNI NG

Authors Tine Fris-Ronsfeld and Kristoffer Fynbo Thorning Illustrations Mette Hornung Layout Mette Hornung and Kristoffer Fynbo Thorning Publisher Singergy Publishing I/S, Råhøjvænget 47, 8230 Viby J, Denmark Copyright © Tine Fris-Ronsfeld, Kristoffer Fynbo Thorning and Singergy Publishing I/S 2023 Digital Version, September 2023 Mail mail@breaking-the-ice.dk Website www.breaking-the-ice.dk In the same series: BRYD ISEN - En legende tilgang til fællesskab (dansk) ICEBREAKERS - A Practical Approach To Groupdynamics (engelsk) ICEBREAKER - Ein spielerischer ansatz zur gruppendynamik (tysk) LES BRISE-GLACE - Créativité et dynamiques de groupe dans les pratiques artistiques (fransk) ISBN 978-87-997511-0-5 The book is published by Postyr Project I/S and has been supported with funding from the Danish Arts Council and SYNG. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in book reviews.

ICEBREAKERS A P R AC T I CA L A P P R OAC H TO G R O U P DY N A M I C S

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

6 7

HELLO Count To 20 The Secret Triangle Dynamics One Body Meet and Greet The Sonar Miss Nice Talk with One Mouth Good Morning Part One Good Morning Part Two The General Yes and No What’s Your Passion?

Marionette Puppets Body Jazz

10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 15 16 16 17

NAMES The Name Chain I Like Part One I Like Part Two What’s Going On? Part One What’s Going On? Part Two Where Are You From?

Name Mikado The Line Up

MOVE Come On and Dance Part One Come On and Dance Part Two Feel Good Be My Eyes Mirror, Mirror Wrestling It’s Christmas Time Part One It’s Christmas Time Part Two

GAMES Memory The Sheriff Argh! Zombies!

The Pirate Game Who Is the Boss?

20 20 21 22 23 24 25 25

28 29 30 31 32 32 33 33 34 35 38 39 40 41 42

SYNCHRONIZE One-Two-Three Grounding Edward Scissorhands Glued Legs A Rather Simple Rhythm Skipping Kung Fu Countdown

44 44 45 45 46 47 47

The Shield It’s Winter Part One It’s Winter Part Two The Smelly Shoe Squeeze This Is Good for Me Ogi, Ogi, Ogi! Pulse Clap Rhythm Relay Race

48 48 49 50 50 51 52 53 53

CREATE School Bag Stomp Me Oh My Part One Me Oh My Part Two Beatbox Battle Move Your Feet I Have a Little Twitch Stir the Rhythm Up Part One Stir the Rhythm Up Part Two Stir the Rhythm Up Part Three Kids Jump Part One Kids Jump Part Two Turn that Funky Music On! Part One Turn that Funky Music On! Part Two

PROGRAMS MY NOTES INDEX ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS THANK YOU ABOUT THE AUTHORS POSTYR

56 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 71 71 71 72 72

INTRODUCTION Being part of a group can be a great experience. It is fantastic when

HOW DO THEY WORK?

every member of the group contributes in achieving a common goal.

Icebreakers allow group members the opportunity to welcome and

When the time spent together just flies by and when everyone is in

introduce everybody, establish eye contact, learn each others names,

a good mood and spirits are high.

shake hands and get comfortable with one another in a playful way.

WHAT IS AN ICEBREAKER?

They highlight the importance of each group member and shine a light on each person’s unique set of skills. By using icebreakers the

Icebreakers are games and exercises that bring people of all ages

participants get to know each other better by collaborating two and

together. We have introduced icebreakers to all kinds of groups over the

two, in smaller groups and as a whole. The group members solve

past ten years. From these experiences we have drawn an important

small tasks together and collaborate on creating and developing

lesson: Integrating icebreakers as a core activity in any type of group

new ideas in an informal way.

work creates and sustains a good atmosphere and strengthens the social bonds in the group.

Icebreakers are great, because they are games, where you can shed

WHY DO WE NEED THEM?

normally speak up or take leadership can be in charge and be heard and

the role you would normally hold in a group. Someone who does not First impressions and getting off on the right foot are crucial if you want

seen in a new way. The chosen leaders or the ones often taking the lead

to establish a positive feeling in the group and promote good working

are given an opportunity to step back, listen, follow and support the

relationships. Playfulness and the willingness to make mistakes are

other group members, all the while gaining new perspectives and seeing

key elements in creativity and letting ideas flow. Trust, team spirit and

the potential of each member of the group.

respecting each other as individuals are some of the underlying pillars that make ideas grow. In some groups, people already know each other from earlier for better or for worse. In other scenarios, people might be strangers to each other and feel somewhat insecure. Some may be nervous about how to go about solving the tasks at hand, while others are bursting with ideas and can’t wait to get started. Some may be tired or unfocused, because they are preoccupied with other matters that are unrelated to the project. Icebreakers are tools that enable the group to establish a common ground before addressing the topic of the day.

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Fostering the group members’ musicality is central to many of the icebreakers, because establishing a sense of rhythm, practicing music and dancing are activities that ensure people are in synch with each other. Building a musical groove is in many ways similar to building a machine. Every part of the groove has a function and plays a role in making it all come together. To make it work everyone has to understand their own role, but also work together like one big organism.

When we play music or sing together, we follow the same tempo, we

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK feel the same flow, we are all part of the same soundscape. When

In our experience, icebreakers are great tools for working with group

singing together all voices join in unison. The combination of the lyrics,

dynamics in a hands-on manner. Icebreakers are useful at all stages of

the melody and the rhythm, lets us get in touch with an undercurrent of

the group’s development. They come in handy at the beginning, when a

feelings and connects us with the people in the choir. We are left with

group is just getting started. They are also useful tools, when the whole

a feeling of unity and fellowship.

group or an individual in the group takes on a new role or responsibility.

That is why musical icebreakers are so effective in bringing people together.

We hope that this collection will serve as an inspiration and help you break the ice, wherever it is needed.

They are godsend, when times are tough and when confidence and trust needs to be restored. And last but not least, they are fun and ensure that all group members share a good laugh.

Keep in mind though, that the icebreakers should be adjusted so they fit the group’s age, size, skills and temperament. The challenge lies in using the icebreakers in a manner which matches the needs of everyone in

BREAK THE ICE! BE AN ICEBREAKER!

the group. Often, it will be possible to differentiate tasks so everyone in

Tine Fris-Ronsfeld and Kristoffer Fynbo Thorning

the reader with suggestions for each of the exercises on how to simplify

the group feels challenged at their individual level. This book provides or further complicate the icebreaker, so the icebreakers are tailored to meet the group members’ needs. Feel free to add your own ideas!

The book consists of six chapters and in each chapter every icebreaker is labeled with a pictogram that depicts the kind of activity covered in the icebreaker.

Collaboration and interaction.

Movement and physical activity.

Singing and playing music.

Playfulness and creativity.

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

7

18

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

NAMES

LEARN, LAUGH AND INTERACT

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

26

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

MOVE

DAN CE, M OVE AN D G ROOVE

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

36

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

GAMES

WI N, LOSE AN D TEAM U P

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

54

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

CREATE

S I N G , P L AY A N D I M P R O V I S E

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

THE AUTHORS Kristoffer Fynbo Thorning is a professional singer, saxofonist and technology enthusiast.

He is a post graduate soloist in vocal leadership from The Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus, majoring in electronic voices.

He is well-known in the international choir and vocal music scene for his groundbreaking approach to e-capella music (electronic a cappella), his high spirits, and his songwriting for his vocal group Postyr. He has more than twelve years of experience in teaching choral vocal groups and singers, from amateurs to professionals, and he loves beats, rhythms, dancing and of cause icebreakers.

Kristoffer's unique approach to group dynamics revolves around energy, empathy, and engagement.

70

POSTYR Tine Fris-Ronsfeld-Ronsfeld is a professional singer and choir leader. She has a master's degree from The Royal Academy of Music, majoring in pop singing She is known throughout the international chorus and vocal music environment as a passionate singer, vocal coach, and conductor, as well as for her innovative arrangements for leading Danish choirs, such as Vocal Line, Syng Selected, and Lyt, and for her catchy compositions for Postyr. Tine has more than fifteen years of experience in teaching soloists,choirs, and vocal groups at all levels.

Groundedness, interaction, and confidence are keywords in Tine's approach to group dynamics.

Postyr is an modern vocal group. The group explores the softness and vitality of the human voice, as well as the raw and uncompromising elements of electronic music. Postyr has since 2011 toured Scandinavia, Europe, USA, and Asia and like to often making joint concerts with other groups and choirs. Postyr is known for their innovative and authentic expression, where traditional vocal music and advanced technology is combined in original, catchy pop songs and heartfelt ballads.

In addition to creating music and playing concerts, Postyr are committed to teaching, doing workshops, arranging their own SummerCamp, as well as publishing sheet music.

Learn more at PostyrProject.dk

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

INDEX A Rather Simple Rhythm Argh! Zombies!

Beatbox Battle Be My Eyes Body Jazz Come On and Dance - Part One Come On and Dance - Part Two Count to 20 Dynamics Edward Scissorhands Feel Good Glued Legs Good Morning - Part One Good Morning - Part Two Grounding I Have a Little Twitch I Like - Part One I Like - Part Two It’s Christmas Time - Part One It’s Christmas Time - Part Two It’s Winter - Part One It’s Winter - Part Two Kids Jump - Part One Kids Jump - Part Two Kung Fu Countdown Marionette Puppets Meet and Greet Memory Me Oh My - Part One

46 40 58 32 29 30 31 10 11 45 32 45 14 15 44 60 20 21 34 35 48 49 64 65 47 28 12 38 56

Me Oh My - Part Two Mirror, Mirror Miss Nice Move Your Feet Name Mikado Ogi, Ogi, Ogi! One Body One-Two-Three Pulse Clap Rhythm Relay Race School Bag Stomp Skipping Squeeze Stir the Rhythm Up - Part One Stir the Rhythm Up - Part Three Stir the Rhythm Up - Part Two Talk with One Mouth The General The Line Up The Name Chain The Pirate Game The Secret Triangle The Sheriff The Shield The Smelly Shoe The Sonar This Is Good for Me Turn that Funky Music On! - Part One Turn that Funky Music On! - Part Two

ICEBREAKERS : A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GROUP DYNAMICS

57 33 13 59 25 52 11 44 53 53 56 47 50 61 63 62 13 16 25 20 41 10 39 48 50 12 51 66 67

What’s Going On? - Part One What’s Going On? - Part Two What’s Your Passion?

Where Are You From?

Who Is the Boss?

Wrestling Yes and No

22 23 17 24 42 33 16

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ICEBREAKERS A PRACTI CAL APPROAC H TO G ROU P DYNAM I CS ICEBREAKERS ARE GAMES AND EXERCISES THAT BRING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TOGETHER. THROUGH ICEBREAKERS THE PARTICIPANTS SHARE NEW EXPERIENCES. ICEBREAKERS FACILITATE A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE AND STRENGTHEN THE SOCIAL BONDS OF A GROUP, USING MUSIC AND GAMES TO GET THERE.

PUBLISHED WITH SUPPORT FROM:

ISBN 978-87-997511-0-5